POLITICS

EXPANDED FEEDING PROGRAM GETS HOUSE 2ND READING OK

The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill expanding the government’s feeding program into a wider national nutrition initiative covering Filipino learners from early childhood to senior high school. House Bill No. 9466 seeks to transform Republic Act No. 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act” into a more comprehensive…

AUMENTADO LEADS BOHOL’S AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL

The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), led by Governor Aris Aumentado, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO), spearheaded the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2026 recently at the Capitol Grounds, gathering health workers, government officials, advocates, program implementers, and community members. Anchored on the theme “Light the Legacy: Remember. Advance. Act. Keeping the Light Alive,” the…

BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS PUSHED

Senator Mark Villar filed Senate Bill No. 2133, or the proposed Students’ Guidance Counseling Act, a measure seeking to strengthen school-based mental health programs and expand access to guidance and psychosocial support services for Filipino students nationwide. Research published by Cambridge University Press earlier revealed the alarming rise in depressive symptoms among Filipino youth, showing…

BENNIE BOATWRIGHT GETS CLOSER TO BECOMING PINOY

Senator Kiko Pangilinan said that House Bill No. 6639, which seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to American basketball player Bennie Boatwright, passed second reading in the Senate recently. Pangilinan, as the previous chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, sponsored and defended the measure during the Senate’s plenary session when the period…

GOVERNMENT

TIU LAUREL RECONVENES DA’S EL NIÑO TASK FORCE

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the reconvening of the Department of Agriculture’s El Niño task force to prepare the country for a potentially severe episode later this year, warning that the prolonged dry spell could hit crop production, hurt farmers’ incomes, and drive up food prices. “It is imperative that we put…

ERC SETS POWER MARKET SHARE LIMITS

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued Resolution No. 17, Series of 2026, setting the Installed Generating Capacity (IGC) and Market Share Limitation (MSL) per grid and for the national grid for 2026, as part of its continuing efforts to promote fair competition and protect electricity consumers. The Resolution establishes the updated generating capacity figures…

GAB, PAGCOR TO FIGHT GAME-FIXING, ILLEGAL BETTING

Officials of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) led by Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, made a courtesy visit to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to strengthen inter-agency coordination in addressing game-fixing, illegal betting activities, and other emerging concerns affecting the integrity of professional sports in the country. The meeting centered on possible areas…

ERC JOINS EJAP ENERGY FORUM

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), represented by Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan and Market Operations Service (MOS) Director Sharon Montañer, underscored the importance of strengthening energy resilience and flexibility in achieving energy security during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Energy Forum titled “Beyond the Crisis: Defining the New Era of…

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

DESIGNING A LIFE YOUR MONEY CAN SUSTAIN

For a long time, survival has a very specific feeling. It’s urgency. Yung laging may hinahabol.Laging may kailangang ayusin.Laging may iniisip na baka may biglang mangyari. You calculate constantly.You adjust quickly.You stay alert because one wrong move can feel expensive. And after enough time, that state stops feeling temporary. It starts feeling normal. When Survival…

THE MOMENT YOU REALIZE YOU’RE NO LONGER JUST SURVIVING

For a long time, survival has a very specific feeling. It’s urgency. Yung laging may hinahabol.Laging may kailangang ayusin.Laging may iniisip na baka may biglang mangyari. You calculate constantly.You adjust quickly.You stay alert because one wrong move can feel expensive. And after enough time, that state stops feeling temporary. It starts feeling normal. When Survival…

WHEN FINANCIAL ADVICE MAKES YOU FEEL SMALLER

There is no shortage of financial advice now. Open social media for a few minutes, and you’ll hear someone confidently explaining what people “should” be doing with their money. Save more.Invest earlier.Build multiple income streams.Take bigger risks.Scale faster. And most of the time, the advice sounds certain. Simple. As if progress is only one correct…

THE EMOTIONAL WEIGHT OF DEBT WE RARELY NAME

There’s a moment many people recognize—but rarely talk about. Hindi siya tungkol sa due date.Hindi rin tungkol sa collection call. It’s quieter than that. Yung sandali na gusto mong magpahinga…pero may konting guilt. Yung bibili ka sana ng maliit na bagay…pero bigla kang magdadalawang-isip. Yung kahit walang nangyayari sa araw mo—may tahimik na bigat na…

TRAVEL & TOURS

PEACEFUL ESCAPES AND QUIET PLACES TO REFLECT THIS HOLY WEEK

Every Holy Week, there is a quiet pull toward stillness—a desire to step away from the noise of everyday life and enter a space of reflection. This sacred season offers more than tradition; it extends an invitation to pause, breathe deeply, and turn inward. In a world that constantly demands attention and motion, Holy Week…

FAITH ON THE ROAD: A HOLY WEEK PILGRIMAGE

Filipinos hold the Holy Week close to their hearts. It’s not just an observance but a way of professing one’s faith and devotion. One particular tradition that is truly cherished is Visita Iglesia, or the visiting of seven churches to pray and reflect. Each Holy Thursday, families and friends travel across cities, with some even…

NEW IN TOWN: PASIG RIVER ESPLANADE PHASE 3 NOW OPEN!

Looking for a fresh spot to explore this weekend? Good news—Phase 3 of the Pasig River Esplanade is officially open! Now you can stroll along the 600-meter West Showcase Area, linking the newly improved Plaza Mexico, Maestranza Esplanade, and the beautifully restored Fort Santiago Riverwalk (a scenic 305 meters of pure charm). Plus, it’s all…

UP FOR A FUN RIDE WITHIN THE METRO? HOP IN!

Metro Manila is chaotic and can sometimes become stressful to explore—thanks to the heavy traffic, unpredictable weather, and the occasional detour.  But for those who can brave these challenges, or perhaps, are already immune to them, the metro can offer an experience that will make any trip worthwhile.  Brimming with culture, and food, and a…

FOOD, HEALTH & FITNESS

MANMAN SAI-GON’S LANTERN IN THE CITY’S BUSTLE

Looking for the best Vietnamese Egg Coffee in the Metro? ManMan, we might know where. Viet Nam’s culture has been embedded in the Philippines for decades, as the country became a refuge for many Vietnamese people during the Viet Nam War. From sharing knowledge of crop production to passing down culinary traditions, the two nations…

DRIVE UP YOUR FITNESS GOALS WHILE BEING ONE WITH NATURE

Crowded, noisy, and sometimes utterly chaotic. While most of the people living in the city are already used to these things, there will always be a time when one would simply wish for a free and green space. Perhaps this is why many Filipinos enjoy doing errands or activities in wide and clear spaces, not…

A DRIVE BACK HOME: DISCOVER VINTA MODERN CARINDERIA

When you hear the word “Vinta”, we automatically picture the colorful sails of Mindanao traditional boats. The distinct craftsmanship and movement of every boat serve as an homage to regional culture. At the heart of Quezon City, adjacent to one of the country’s food districts, Tomas Morato, a new restaurant carries the very essence of…

GET READY! MAGINHAWA SUMMER FEST 2025 THIS SATURDAY

This is your sign to answer the call and treat yourself to that long-awaited food crawl along one of the most beloved food districts in the metro. There’s no better time to visit the bustling street than this Saturday as the Maginhawa Food Community takes over the iconic Maginhawa Street in Quezon City on May…

FASHION & BEAUTY

TRP 52 Ovation takes center stage - UP MSS

Tao Rin Pala (TRP) returns in its 52nd year with the theme Ovation to bring together the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) and Philippine General Hospital (PGH) community. Organized by the UP Medical Students’ Society (UP MSS), TRP brings medical students, UPCM faculty, and PGH employees together beyond the walls of the…

MISS BINGOPLUS LUCKY BATS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ED

Fil-Canadian Jasmine Paguio finished as runner-up in the recently concluded Miss Philippines Earth beauty-with-a-cause pageant, but for the BingoPlus community of players, game developers, employees, partner brands, institutions, and beneficiaries, she is their queen. The 23-year-old actress and model who grew up in Canada but returned to the Philippines to seek an acting and pageantry…

FILA, STARBUCKS PARTNER FOR A LIMITED-EDITION LINE

Two classic and iconic brands are partnering to give back to their customers who have remained loyal despite the challenges of the pandemic in the past two years. For a limited run, FILA and Starbucks will give free fashionable and functional items inspired by their iconic hues and logos. The results represent FILA’s red, blue…

Mr. and Ms. JPIA continues legacy

To continue the legacy of Mr. and Ms. JPIA, PUP JPIA Manila announced its search of the event for this year on their Facebook page on November 16, 2021. The event is open to all bonafide students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa branch, which is also a PUP Junior Philippine Institute…

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

KADA UMAGA'S HOSTS EFFORTLESSLY MIX BEAUTY AND BRAINS IN A LIKEABLE MORNING SHOW

NET25’s Kada Umaga boasts a formidable trio of accomplished women who combine beauty, intelligence and natural chemistry in a late morning show that’s both entertaining and informative. “In an era of quick clicks and fast media consumption, Pia Guanio-Mago, Daiana Menezes and Luane Dy-Gonzalez keep our eyes and ears on attention through relatable topics.” In…

A NEEDED MORNING HABIT KADA UMAGA!

NET 25’s Kada Umaga is like your perk-me-up morning cup of coffee. Simple, invigorating, uncomplicated. The show offers a refreshingly light take on the popular everday morning show format (hence this one’s catchy “Kada Umaga” title), which in other programs is usually burdened by political talk or weighed down by self-promoting hosts who focus on…

LA SALLE, UP, NU, UST COMPLETE NSAC 2026 QUARTERFINAL CAST

De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, National University, and University of Santo Tomas completed the quarterfinal cast of the NSAC 2026 College Basketball Campus Tour after securing Round of 16 wins Sunday at the UP Varsity Training Center in Quezon City. In a clash of sister schools, La Salle, the No. 2 seed…

BULLDOGS ONE WIN AWAY FROM HISTORY 

Alas Pilipinas members Michaelo Buddin, Jade Disquitado, and Leo Ordiales came alive in the most crucial stretch, powering defending champion National University to the cusp of extending its UAAP men’s volleyball dominance to six consecutive seasons. The Bulldogs recovered from a shaky start, making the necessary adjustments down the stretch to outlast Far Eastern University,…

ARTS & CULTURE

UP Aguman Sets the Stage for Sining 2026

The UP Aguman sets the stage ready for Kapampangan culture, creativity, and contemporary expression as it brings back one of its most highly anticipated annual events, Sining 2026. UP Aguman’s Sining is an arts and talents competition held in Pampanga. This year, it carries the theme “Dásé: Pámanábal ning Makabayangnang Ténákan king Kalalangang Kapampángan,” offering…

Dulaang UP’s Tickets for Upcoming Production Now Live

Written by: Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (with contributions by Lora Kate Batomalaque) Dulaang UP closes their 48th Theatre Season, “Paano umuwi nang may pagpapasya?”, with Ang Kaliitan ng Kasalukuyan, written and directed by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature multi-awarded playwright and our Artistic Director, Arlo Deguzman. Written by a former Overseas Filipino Worker…

HOBBIES & ADVOCACIES

MarkQuests 2026: An undertaking of greatminds

PUP’s Dream S2Dio Is Setting Up a Game-Changing Event  The game has changed, and Dream S2Dio is proving it.  Dream S2Dio, a section of senior Marketing Management students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, unveils MarkQuests: Under the Gamefluence — a one-day esports-focused academic seminar on May 29, 2026 at Claro M. Recto Hall,…

PH RED CROSS HOLDS 143 BASIC TRAINING COURSE

The Philippine Red Cross conducted the Pilot Training for the Red Cross 143 Basic Training Course, reinforcing its flagship volunteer program initiative that aims to equip volunteers in every barangay with the knowledge, skills, and values needed by a Red Cross volunteer. Under the RC143 Program, PRC aims to organize 44 volunteers in every barangay…

PRC GETS 4 VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), marked the turnover of four (4) Volunteer Emergency Response Vehicles (VERVs), at the PRC National Headquarters, strengthening its nationwide emergency response network and volunteer mobilization capacity. These VERVs are part of a nationwide emergency response network of the PRC…

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

BLEEDING BADLY OR HAVING A STROKE? CALL 911

Traffic and vehicular accidents are the most common reasons why emergency calls are placed to the country’s national hotline, 911. Requests for police assistance or reports about crimes and violent incidents make up the next most numerous calls. Medical emergencies come next, followed by fire incidents. Of these, medical emergencies are the highest priority for…

BFP GETS BOOST FROM 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK

When emergencies and disasters happen, every citizen with a cellphone is now part of the nationwide 911 emergency response network. This is what Fire Superintendent Anthony Royo Arroyo, spokesperson and Chief, Public Information Service of the Bureau of Fire Protection, said regarding the unified 911 system that now accommodates cellular technology. The Next Generation Advanced (NGA)…

PH UNIFIED 911 SYSTEM NEARS COMPLETION

The Philippines’ Unified 911 Emergency Response System is rapidly approaching full deployment, with cutting-edge communication technologies now in the hands of frontline responders—positioning the country to potentially operate one of the most advanced emergency response systems in Asia. Currently at nearly 60 percent completion, the initiative enables seamless, real-time communication among emergency responders across jurisdictions,…

⚙️ RISE in Action: How the 17th Southern Tagalog Industrial Engineering Seminar (STIES XVII) Empowered the Next Industrial Engineers ⚙️ 

The 17th Southern Tagalog Industrial Engineering Seminar (STIES XVII), organized by the UPLB Industrial Engineering Students’ Organization (UPLB IESO), successfully brought together students, professors, and professionals from different academic institutions last February 28, 2026. This year’s seminar focused on the expanding role of Industrial Engineers in building stability in the middle of chaos and facilitating…